For the maximum client choice, we offer rentals with Alamo, Budget, Dollar, U-Save and Thrifty, but what is the difference, and why do we have two lots of Dollar cars?

In some ways it is easy to say that hire cars in Florida are ‘much of a muchness’, and in some respects that is true.  All cars are automatic, and have air conditioning, and are as young as the company can afford to maintain its fleet.

The actual insurance cover offered by each supplier is also basically the same, this is because the packages that we offer for sale must include everything that the British, or non-domestic traveller will need in order to drive in Florida and comply with local laws.

But the add ons, such as the number of drivers on the standard package or the fuel policy, are what differs from supplier to supplier.  The exact details of each ‘Standard Package’ can be seen by clicking on the relevant ‘Standard Package’ icon by the car of your choice but we will run through them here.

Alamo and Thrifty allow only one driver on their standard packages, so if you require 2 or more drivers you will either need to select the relevant Diamond option, or choose a different supplier.  We also have one set of prices with Dollar that feature just one driver, and these are a little cheaper than the other set of prices with Dollar which have 2 drivers!  This is why there are two sets of prices for Dollar.

If you require 2 drivers, you can therefore choose from the slightly more expensive Dollar option, Budget or U -Save which all include 2 drivers in their ‘Standard Package’.

U Save are great for young drivers, (see the previous Young Driver article) but can tend to be a bit on the expensive side otherwise, and currently we only have access to U Save at Orlando International Airport.

If you are going for 2 weeks or more, then it is often more economical to select the standard option that does not include fuel, otherwise you will be paying a weekly supplement, but will only receive that initial tank of fuel.  For rentals of 2 weeks it will probably work out at about the same, but if you are going for less than 2 weeks it is probably in your interest to choose the ‘Diamond’ package even if you don’t need additional drivers, because the initial tank of fuel will then be included.  Don’t forget that if you are paying for the fuel at the airport, you will pay a lot more than if you are able to fill up at the pump yourself.

One last thing to consider, the Thrifty rates, and the cheaper of the two Dollar rates are subject to cancellation and amendment charges, while the rates with Alamo, Budget, the more expensive Dollar rates, and U Save are not.   If you think you may need a bit of flexibility for your Florida Car Hire, it is better to steer clear of those with the charges, even if it means paying a little more in the first instance.  If you are at all concerned, please give us a call in the office to talk it through.